The New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing Register converged in Taupo last weekend for four rounds of championship racing. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer
The New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing Register converged in Taupo last weekend for four rounds of championship racing. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer
Supercars will descend on Taupō in just under three weeks, but in the interim, the New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing Register (NZCMRR) ensured the track was up to standard.
The NZCMRRconverged at the Tony Quinn-owned track for their second annual race meeting, the APS Autumn Classic, which included four rounds of racing for championship points.
The Register was founded 45 years ago to promote the preservation of classic and historic road racing motorbikes. Over the years, they also opened entries to race bikes made up to 1995.
At the Taupō event, over 80 racers competed on more than 110 motorbikes which were categorised in 25 classes and raced in eight groups.
A former motorcycle mechanic at NV Motorcycles in Morrinsville, Wiki recently moved to Australia, but that didn’t stop him from racing in New Zealand.
Wiki competed in three classes on the weekend: 1-250cc Classic 70s, 251-350 Classic 70s and 351-500cc Classic 70s.
In all classes, he rode motorbikes of De Lacy Motorsport.
“I had a couple of nice runs this weekend. I tried a new bike - it goes pretty fast but we want to make it go even faster.”
When asked why he would make the long trip just for two days of racing, he said: “Why not?... I have a great team [De Lacy Motorsport] that makes fast bikes and I like winning.”
Zurrin Wiki (#24) came all the way from Australia to race at the NZCMRR Autumn Classic in Taupo. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer
Wiki finished first in the 351-500cc Classic 70s class riding a 1974 Aermacchi Ala d’Oro.
In the 251-350 Classic 70s class, he rode a 1975 BSA Goldstar and came in second, just behind Warren Landon of Tauranga.
Speaking to the Waikato Herald after the event, NZCMRR president Ken McGeady said he was happy with how it went.
“It was one of the smoothest we had, we even finished ahead of schedule.”
The weather also played ball showing its sunny side throughout the two days.
